Willis Gene Cavnar, age 80 of Newalla, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 16, 2016, at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. He was born August 31, 1936 in Purcell, OK, the 7th of 10 children born to James Thomas Cavnar and Nora (Skaggs) Cavnar. He spent his early childhood in Purcell where he began school, later moving to the Spencer area, and graduating from Jones High School in 1955. He later met a young lady from New Mexico named Doris Faye Harper. They fell in love and were married on February 21, 1959 in LaMesa, New Mexico. Willis joined the United States Army and served his country proudly. Together, he and Doris raised two daughters, Gina and Sabinna. Willis began working with Carter Oil Company as a roustabout, eventually working his way up from deckhand, to driller, to tool pusher and finally field superintendent. He retired from Exxon in 1994. He spent the next 16 years as a consultant with the Apache Company. During his time in the oil fields, Willis and Doris lived in various towns throughout Oklahoma, Mississippi and Texas. In 1995, they moved to Pawhuska, OK where they lived for nearly 17 years. They eventually settled in Newalla in 2012. Willis was a hard worker and a man of great faith! He loved the Lord and with a servant’s heart, served others faithfully. He enjoyed seeing his family and cherished his grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband and father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be dearly missed!
He was preceded in death by: His wife, Doris Faye Cavnar in 2013; His parents, James and Nora Cavnar; 2 sisters, Wanda Barnes and Juanita Woods and 4 brothers, James, Elmo, Leo Kenneth and Ed Cavnar.
Willis leaves behind: His daughters, Gina Lawson and husband Jim of Azle, TX and Sabinna Cavnar of the home in Newalla; 3 sisters, Theo Mayo and husband David of Midwest City, Shirley Teal Jones of Ada and Francis Bragg of Tahlequah; 3 grandchildren, Cody, Will and Casey Lawson; Several Nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family and friends.
Graveside Funeral Services are scheduled for 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 20, 2016, at the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.